Bamidbar – Page 9 – Peninim on the Torah

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

The Torah pays great attention to the individual pedigree of each Jew. Indeed, the Yalkut states that when Klal Yisrael received the Torah, the nations of the world became jealous: “Why did Hashem give the Torah to Klal Yisrael rather than to any other nation?” Hashem responded to them, “Bring Me your Sefer Yuchsin, Book of Lineage, as My children did.” This is a reference to pasuk 18, “and they established their genealogy.” Since the count was done according to tribe, the people had to establish the tribe to which they belonged either by written documents or valid witnesses. One reason…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

Rashi explains that as a result of Klal Yisrael’s dearness to Hashem, He counts them all of the time. The Mishkan, the site of the Revelation of the Divine Presence, was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. On the following month, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Hashem counted them. The commentators struggle with the thirty-day lapse between the time the Mishkan was erected and the time Hashem counted Klal Yisrael. One would think that because of Hashem’s great love for Klal Yisrael, He would count them on the most auspicious day, the day the Mishkan was erected. A number of reasons are given…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Bamidbar

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

The tribes camped around the Mishkan in a manner designated by Hashem. They were organized into formations of three tribes each. Their place around the Mishkan corresponded to the places which Yaakov Avinu designated to his sons when he instructed them on how to escort his bier to its final resting place. The Moinistritcher Rebbe notes that Parashas Bamidbar, which includes the chapter detailing the order of the degalim, banners, is always read on the Shabbos immediately prior to Shavuos. He posits that this is appropriate, especially given the fact that one of the forty-eight qualities by which Torah is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5761, Bamidbar

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

Rashi explains that the little infants of Bnei Levi were counted from the tender age of one month and up. Already at this young age, they were called by the title of honor and distinction that they would achieve as adults. Why grant such an esteemed title to a baby? Are we so sure they will live up to the title? Apparently, Shevet Levi had this “track record.” Those thirty-day-old infants were sure to grow up to become Shomrei Mishmeres HaKodesh, Guardians of the Holy Watch. Yet, how could we be so certain of their outcome? We see regrettably, how…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5760, Bamidbar

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

Rashi explains that as a result of Klal Yisrael’s dearness to Hashem, He counts them all of the time. The Mishkan, the site of the Revelation of the Divine Presence, was erected on Rosh Chodesh Nissan. On the following month, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Hashem counted them. The commentators struggle with the thirty-day lapse between the time the Mishkan was erected and the time Hashem counted Klal Yisrael. One would think that because of Hashem’s great love for Klal Yisrael, He would count them on the most auspicious day, the day the Mishkan was erected. A number of reasons are given…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5760

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5760, Bamidbar

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

The tribes camped around the Mishkan in a manner designated by Hashem. They were organized into formations of three tribes each. Their place around the Mishkan corresponded to the places which Yaakov Avinu designated to his sons when he instructed them on how to escort his bier to its final resting place. The Moinistritcher Rebbe notes that Parashas Bamidbar, which includes the chapter detailing the order of the degalim, banners, is always read on the Shabbos immediately prior to Shavuos. He posits that this is appropriate, especially given the fact that one of the forty-eight qualities by which Torah is…

Home -> Bamidbar -> 5760

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5760, Bamidbar

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

Rashi explains that the little infants of Bnei Levi were counted from the tender age of one month and up. Already at this young age, they were called by the title of honor and distinction that they would achieve as adults. Why grant such an esteemed title to a baby? Are we so sure they will live up to the title? Apparently, Shevet Levi had this “track record.” Those thirty-day-old infants were sure to grow up to become Shomrei Mishmeres HaKodesh, Guardians of the Holy Watch. Yet, how could we be so certain of their outcome? We see regrettably, how…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying, “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed shall they encamp.” (2:1,2)

An inconsistency seems to be manifest in the text of this pasuk. Hashem enjoins Klal Yisrael to camp “mineged,” at a distance, and “saviv“, surrounding. Are they to camp mineged or saviv? If it is opposite it is not close. The Satmar Rebbe, zl, cites his father in his sefer, “Yetev Lev.” He explains this apparent contradiction in light of Rashi’s interpretation of the phrase, “b’osos l’bais avosam,” “according to the insignias of their fathers’ household,” as a reference to the signs that Yaakov gave his sons, regarding the formation of his sons when they were to serve as his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:1,2)

The Midrash discusses the remarkable level of sanctity achieved by Klal Yisrael as a result of their degalim, banners. Indeed, Chazal cite a dialogue between the gentile nations in which they attempt to dissuade Klal Yisrael from maintaining their allegiance to Hashem. Klal Yisrael’s response to the gentiles’ negativity was the beauty and sanctity of the degalim that evoked their pride in being Jewish. We must endeavor to understand what it is about the degalim that engendered such feelings of self – esteem and pride. Horav Mordechai Rogov, zl, offers two responses to this question. He explains that Torah and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5759, Bamidbar

So did they encamp by their standards, and so did they journey, each one according to his families, by the house of his fathers. (2:34)

Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, explains the practical/symbolic meaning behind the formation of the tribes as they camped and traveled. In the front, to the east, under the degel of Yehudah, were the tribes of Yehudah, Yissachar and Zevullun. To the right, in the south, under the degel of Reuven, were Reuven, Shimon and Gad. To the left, in the north, under the degel of Dan, were the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naftali. Last, in the back, opposite Shevet Yehudah, under the degel of Efraim, were Efraim, Menashe, and Binyamin. Each of the three tribes which form the leading camp…

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“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael according to their families, according to their fathers’ household.” (1:2)

“The Bnei Yisrael shall camp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:2)

“Count the sons of Levi…every male from one month of age and up…” (3:15)

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying, “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household, at a distance surrounding the Ohel Moed shall they encamp.” (2:1,2)

Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon saying: “The Bnei Yisrael shall encamp, each man by his banner according to the insignias of their fathers’ household.” (2:1,2)

So did they encamp by their standards, and so did they journey, each one according to his families, by the house of his fathers. (2:34)

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